Hello Solihull 👋

Happy Bank Holiday weekend! I hope you’re getting a little bit of time to slow down, enjoy the extra day, and make the most of what’s happening locally.

This week, we’re shining a light on some of Solihull’s local heroes, a brilliant local farm doing important work, a big community walk for mental health, a few family-friendly ideas, fresh bread, beer gardens and creative workshops. A proper mix of Solihull.

As always, thank you for reading, sharing and supporting Solihull Spotlight. Every forward, referral and kind message helps this little local newsletter reach more people across the borough.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

A huge well done to the 25 people and organisations recognised at the Solihull Civic Honours Awards 2026.

The awards celebrate the residents, volunteers, charities, businesses and community groups who go the extra mile to make Solihull a better place to live. The Civic Honours is a way of recognising Solihull’s unsung heroes, the people and groups making a meaningful difference locally, often without making a big fuss about it.

This is the kind of local news we love to see. Behind every strong community are people giving up their time, supporting neighbours, running groups, helping families, creating safe spaces and quietly making life better for others.

To everyone recognised this year: thank you!

👉 Read more about the Solihull Civic Honours winners

This week’s newsletter is supported by Newlands Bishop Farm, a brilliant local place in Catherine-de-Barnes doing meaningful work in beautiful surroundings.

Part of the Family Care Trust, Newlands Bishop Farm supports adults with learning disabilities by offering work-based learning opportunities in areas such as horticulture, woodwork, gardening, horse care, catering and retail.

It’s one of those places that does far more than people might realise. Every visit, booking, event, coffee, purchase or bit of local support helps contribute to something bigger: confidence, skills, purpose and opportunity for people in our community.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful local visit, a café stop, a family-friendly outing or a way to support meaningful work in Solihull, Newlands Bishop Farm is well worth a look.

👉 Find out more about Newlands Bishop Farm

If you’ve got little ones who love mud, sticks, leaves, dens and outdoor adventures, Nature Bugs is one to know about.

Based in Bentley Heath, Nature Bugs offers outdoor sessions inspired by Forest School principles, helping children learn, explore and build confidence through nature-led play.

It’s the kind of activity that reminds you children often don’t need screens or complicated plans, just fresh air, freedom, curiosity and somewhere safe to explore. A lovely local option for families looking for something wholesome, outdoorsy and a bit different.

👉 Check Nature Bugs for upcoming sessions

This week, we’re shining a light on One Big Walk Solihull, a community walk bringing people together for mental health, connection and support.

The walk is set for Tuesday 12th May, meeting at 6:45pm at the main gates of Malvern and Brueton Park on New Road, with the walk starting at 7pm. The walk is led by Solihull’s walking mental health groups and is about encouraging people to come together, talk, walk and break the silence around mental health.

You don’t need to be a fast walker and you don’t need to know anyone. Sometimes, just turning up and walking alongside other people is enough.

👉 Pop it in the diary: Tuesday 12th May, 6:45pm, Malvern and Brueton Park

If fresh bread is your thing, this one’s for you. Smithtons Food Market on Prospect Lane is a lovely local stop for coffee, fresh food and those little bakery bits that make a weekend feel instantly better. Reviews regularly mention the fresh bread, deli feel and welcoming café atmosphere.

It’s a good one for a morning coffee, a casual bite, or picking up something fresh to take home. Go for the coffee, stay for the bread, leave pretending you only popped in for “one thing”.

👉 Visit Smithtons on Prospect Lane

Beer garden season is almost here, and The Mason’s Arms is a handy one to have on your radar. The pub is a local Solihull spot for food, drinks, live sport and a warm welcome, its beer garden is also a spacious place to sit out with a drink when the weather behaves.

Perfect for a sunny Bank Holiday pint, a casual catch-up, or one of those “shall we just sit outside somewhere?” moments.

👉 Check opening times and book ahead if needed

This section includes events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

From Solihull Moors and Solihull Barons to grassroots football, running groups, racket sports, junior teams and ways to keep active across the borough. Whether you’re playing, coaching, volunteering, fundraising or cheering from the sidelines, local sport is such a big part of what brings people together here. If your club has news, fixtures, trials, fundraisers or a story we should know about, just reply to this email and send it over.

• Bin collections: https://digital.solihull.gov.uk/BinCollectionCalendar/
• Council news + updates: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news
• Travel disruptions (West Midlands): https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk/

Thanks for reading Solihull Spotlight 💙 let’s chat again on Sunday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.

P.S. Want your business in front of local Solihull readers? Reply with SPONSOR and I’ll send over our options.